National Assembly gives go-ahead for impeachment trial of former Energy Minister Inés Manzano

The National Assembly Oversight Commission has agreed to begin impeachment proceedings against former Energy Minister Inés Manzano. Accusations against Manzano involve her role in the Progen electric generator scandal as well as “general mismanagement” of her ministry during the 2024 energy crisis.

Former Energy Minister Inés Manzano

The commission’s decision followed the release of an audio tape in which Manzano spoke to other ministry and national electric company officials about “managing the narrative” of the generator scandal. It also came after U.S. officials released banking details of the purchase of the generators from Tampa-based Progen.

Earlier, on June 6, the commission voted to deny a request by the Social Christian and Citizens Revolution parties for a trial of Manzano. According to commission vice president Ana Belén, the reversal was prompted by “new information” regarding the Progen case. “We have become aware of new details about the purchase of the generators that question the leadership of the former minister,” Belén said. “Other legitimate issues of mismanagement have also come to light,” she added.

To date, prosecutors have named 22 defendants in the scandal, most of them technicians and low-level managers at Celec, the national electric company, and in the Energy Ministry. Manzano and former energy minister Roberto Luque were not named.

The purchase of the mobile electric generators in 2024 came during a period of daily electric blackouts, some as long as 14 hours. After the generators were delivered to sites in Quevedo and Salitral, it was discovered that they were previously used, in poor mechanical condition and were incompatible with Ecuador’s electrical system.

The $104 million paid to Progen has not been recovered.

Based on National Assembly impeachment rules, Manzano has until July 10 to respond to accusations and present exculpatory evidence in her defense. Until that date, Assembly members are allowed to present additional evidence against the former minister.

If a guilty verdict is reached, Manzano’s right to serve in a public appointed or elected position in national or local government would be suspended for two years. Manzano resigned her position as energy minister June 1.